Your water bill depends on many factors including the number of people living in the household, their ages and water usage patterns, and the size of your house and garden. Another significant impact on your bill is the type of appliances that you use in your household. The older models require more water than the modern water-efficient models. Here, we give you a rough estimate of the water bills you can expect to pay in Adelaide.
How are the water bills calculated in Adelaide?
Here in Adelaide, you pay a flat rate for having a water connection. It is a fixed rate and doesn’t change with location, house size, or usage pattern. The 2021-22 annual charge was set at $274.40. So, you will get billed $68.60 quarterly.
In addition to this, you need to pay for your water usage. The price per unit of water increases for higher water users. For the year 2021-22, the price structure is as follows:
| Tier | Unit price | Usage threshold per day |
| 1 | $0.001966/L | 0 to 383.6 L |
| 2 | $0.002806/L | 383.6 L to 1424.7 L |
| 3 | $0.003040/L | Above 1424.7 L |
The average water price in Adelaide
On average, a person in Adelaide uses around 190 litres of water a day. So, a household with two people will use around 380 litres a day, which falls into tier 1. They can expect a quarterly bill in the region of $136.
$68.60 + (380 x 91 x $0.001966) = $136.58
A four-person household, on the other hand, will use around 760 litres a day. The first 383.6 litres will be charged at tier 1, and the remainder will be charged at tier 2. Their quarterly bill would be around $233.
$68.60 + (383.6 x 91 x $0.001966) + (376.4 x 91 x $0.002806) = $233.34
The above is just an average rough estimate as the water usage varies depending on the time of the year as well as your personal habits.
How to reduce the water bill
You can reduce your water usage by introducing some simple lifestyle changes. But before that, make sure you are using the right appliances.
Use high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances
A family of two can save more than 30 kL of water a year by replacing their old toilet with a modern, water-efficient toilet. Also, consider using a water-saving washing machine, dishwasher, and showerhead. The new models offer superior performance while using at least 20% less water.
Stop the leaks
Dripping taps and pipes can eat up your money without you knowing.
Save water on watering the garden
Choose plants that are suitable for Adelaide’s climate! Climate-appropriate landscaping can bring down your water usage by half. Also, consider using greywater from your washing machine to irrigate the garden and lawn.
Conclusion
The price of water in Adelaide is high, and you need to be extra careful about your usage. The key to reducing your water bill is to choose the right appliances and repair any leaks.
Change your habits and try to be less wasteful when it comes to water usage. A slight increase in usage can push your bill to the next tier and cause you to pay an unnecessarily high bill.
